More on Planet of Fire shortly. But first: next week I’ll be at Comic Con. I’ll be there as me and not on AICN’s behalf, although don’t be surprised to see a few reports from my San Diego journey sneaking onto the site. Docbacker HornOrSilk has prepared a Special Edition Docback for next Friday, and be sure to check the Docback conversations at the bottom of that article for any timely DOCTOR WHO-related news. I will be monitoring the Docback as always, so Docback Code of Conduct will still be in effect.

HERE’S A RECENTLY ISSUED LOOK AT DAVID BRDLEY AS FIRST DOCTOR/WILLIAM HARTNELL

...in the upcoming ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME docudrama which examines the early years of DOCTOR WHO’s creation and production. Know ye that this here image be EMBIGGENABLE! Astonishing detail...

(thanks MOV)

PLANET OF FIRE

“The worst place in the universe - English public school on Earth.” - Turlough, Planet of Fire Episode Four

There’s an interesting phenomenon evident in many vintage DOCTOR WHOs - namely DW rolled out a number of solid scripts which were ultimately hamstrung by execution which didn’t do them justice.

While I wouldn’t say PoF was ‘hamstrung’ perse (it’s rather enjoyable on the whole), director Fiona Cumming never realizes the full potential of Grimwade’s script. Cumming’s work here is competent and often intelligent to be sure, but it’s rarely ‘special.‘

This said, ‘competence’ and ‘intelligence’ go a long way. What PoF lacks in presentational gusto is, for the most part, nicely counterbalanced by savvy performances and an OTT crisis of the month which masterfully blends AUSTIN POWERS level Mad Scientist shenanigans (the control of a volcano) with Classic TREKian sociology: if something nutty and huge were happening on a not entirely advanced world, how would that impact a culture/society? And it is in this thoughtful consideration that Planet of Fire truly shines.

Indeed, PoF represents what may be the series’ best use of the Master character to date (at least in my journey though the show thus far). I’ve previously commented that his circuitous approach to achieving his goals smacks of Scooby Doo or Snidely Whiplash - it’s sometimes hard to take the character seriously given his unfocused and over-produced tendencies. The same charge might be leveled here, but in PoF, the Master’s schemings are more organic and crassly manipulative than we’ve previously witnessed. He’s actively undermining a society and preying on its belief system to his own advantage. And THAT...is damn clever and evil, pure and simple.

One of our first glimpses of her is in a bikini - an admittedly shrewd maneuver undoubtedly intended to recruit more male viewers, although its aesthetic payoff is beyond dispute.

Peter Wyngarde (General Klytus from 1980’s FLASH GORDON movie)...

...here appears in a significant role, putting on his best LAWRENCE OF ARABIA in the process.

In what is presumably an effort to counterbalance the shameless exploitation of Bryant, PoF offers no small portion of Mark Strickson (Turlough) in trunks which are, well, distractingly, Village People tight and short. Not a criticism as much as an observation.

One could argue - and argue well - that Turlough’s exit from the show, featured in the final moments of the fourth episode, is a bit cursory...and that the Doctor’s dispatch of companion Kamelion in the same installment is equally as unceremonious (both niggles point back to PoF’s relatively unspectacular execution). But what PoF lacks in gravity it makes up for with above-average production design, and a generous portion of spectacular location photography on Lanzarote (where much of the location filming for Wolfgang Petersen’s ENEMY MINE took place).

The locale perfectly befits and accentuates the story’s subject matter, and lensing so many segments in this region brings a much needed cinematic breadth and credibility to a tale which could otherwise have felt clunky and disingenuous.

An imperfect and ill-paced story, but interesting and (for the most part) thoughtful throughout.

1) a Docback should be about completely open and free discourse regarding all things WHO with, obviously, some variation on subject matter from time to time - the real world intervenes, discussions of other shows are inevitable, etc.)...

2) matters of SPOILAGE should be handled with thoughtful consideration and sensitivity. Posts containing SPOILERS should clearly state that a SPOILER exists in its topic/headline and should never state the spoiler itself . "** SPOILER ** Regarding Clara" is OK, for example. "** SPOILER about that Motorcycle" is fine. **SPOILER** Why did everyone die?" Is NOT good.

And, above all...

3) converse, agree, disagree, and question as much as you want - but the freedom to do so is NOT a license to be rude, crass, disrespectful, or uncivilized in any way. Not remaining courteous and civil, as well as TROLLING or undertaking sensational efforts to ignite controversy, will result in banning. Lack of courtesy may receive one (1) warning before a ban is instigated. Obvious Trolling or Spamming will result in summary banning with no warning. One word posts intended to bump-up any Docback's figures on AICN's "Top Talkbacks" sidebar will be considered actionable Spam - they not only complicate efforts to access Docback from mobile devices, but impede readers' abilities to follow or engage in flowing conversation.